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Celtics surge past 'Wolves

Sentinel & Enterprise

Updated:
12/06/2012 07:14:37 AM EST

BOSTON (AP) -- Kevin Garnett scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and remained unbeaten against his former team as the Boston Celtics beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-94 on Wednesday night in Rajon Rondo's return from a two-game suspension.

The Celtics improved to 10-0 since they acquired Garnett from the Timberwolves during the summer of 2007. They also won for the 11th straight time against Minnesota.

Boston went 1-1 without Rondo, suspended for his role in a scuffle during a game against the Brooklyn Nets last Wednesday.

Kevin Love led the Timberwolves with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Nikola Pekovic had 14 with nine boards.

Minnesota went just 6 for 19 from 3-point range one night after hitting a season-high 13 3s in a win over Philadelphia.

Boston, which led by seven entering the final quarter, scored 11 of the initial 14 points in the fourth and opened a 90-75 lead on Terry's 3 from the left wing with 7:50 to play. The Timberwolves went nearly 5 minutes without a basket.

The Celtics maintained between a 14 and 12-point lead over the next 3 minutes, keeping the Timberwolves from making a run by nailing a handful of free throws before a spinning, crowd-pleasing basket by Rondo made it 100-85 with 31/2 minutes left.

The Celtics used a 9-0 run over 2 minutes to open a 67-61 lead on Terry's 3-pointer midway into the third.

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Minnesota, coming off a 17-point win in Philadelphia on Tuesday, scored the last five points of the half to grab a 51-47 edge at the break.

The Celtics opened the game 10 for 13, but cooled off late in the first quarter, missing six of their last nine shots and trailed 30-27 after one.

Love headed to the bench early when he picked up his second foul -- both on offense -- with 2:27 left in the first quarter.

NOTES: Minnesota held its opponents under 90 points in three of the past four games -- all wins. It's a commitment to defense that coach Rick Adelman saw at the beginning of the season. "We've had a great work ethic," he said. "The guys are working hard on it." The Timberwolves entered having allowed the fourth-fewest points in the NBA. ... Boston G Avery Bradley, sidelined since shoulder operations at the end of last season, said he expects to be able to practice in "one to two weeks." ... Boston coach Doc Rivers compared Love's ability to rebound to that of Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman. "I played with, I think, one of the greatest rebounders all-time -- Dennis Rodman," he said. "I watched him at the (London) Olympics and said, 'He seems to know where the ball is going when it's in the air."' Love then went out and grabbed an offensive rebound on Minnesota's first shot of the game. ... Rondo got a loud ovation when he was introduced in the starting lineups. ... Garnett played his 1,273rd game -- one behind Minnesota assistant Terry Porter for 17th all-time.

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